"With a culinary arts program at Poly, the work of the Environmental Club allows our students to utilize fresh vegetables, grown at Poly High School in their culinary creations," Fort Worth schools trustee Tobi Jackson said in a posting on the district's website. "That's a lesson of teamwork, healthful eating, and community that students can take with them for life."

The club is hosting a ribbon cutting at noon on Dec. 12, 2012 at the school, 1300 Conner Ave., Fort Worth

October 06, 2012

FORT WORTH -- This summer, 22 ladies aged 60 to 79 began rehearsing a chorus kick-line routine for the Polytechnic High School all-class reunion, but not all of them made it to Saturday's performance.

One had a bad back. Another broke her leg. For others, the kicks proved just too strenuous.

"The first and second time we practiced, I would go home and my back ached," said 75-year-old Marie Doggett Gaunce, Class of '55. "I would be in bed for two or three hours, but it got better. So this has been good exercise for me."

(Photo: special to Star-Telegram/Bob Booth)

On Saturday, a reduced contingent of 16 performed a modified version of
the high-kick chorus line for fellow Poly High alumni at a celebration
marking the 100th anniversary of the school's first graduating class.

The
kick line was a highlight of back-to-back, 90-minute Centennial
Memories programs that included a stage band of alumni from the 1950s
and 1960s performing the alma mater, former and current cheerleaders,
and a salute to state champions over the years.

Organizers of the first all-class reunion at Poly High School in east Fort Worth are expecting 2,000 people here today.

Alumni from many classes are now running through a dress rehearsal for back to back memories programs this afternoon.

Ladies who have spent weeks practicing a kick line routine to The Chorus Line's "One" got enthusiastic applause. As teens, these ladies, now in their 60's and 70's, took a special rhythm and dance class and/or were members of the original kickline formed in the mid-1950's. (Photo: Bob Booth)

September 26, 2012

The dedication event will include a ribbon cutting and balloon launch, scheduled to go forward between the Freshman A and B games at about 7 p.m. Paschal's end zone features purple turf with white lettering.

A new field with synthetic turf at Arlington Heights High School is to be dedicated during homecoming festivities on Oct. 26.

The athletic field projects have been hailed as examples of "public-private partnerships" between the Fort Worth school district and athletic booster clubs. The school district is managing the project and fronted funding for the fields. The athletic booster clubs at both schools have signed agreements to repay $712,000 each within five years.

In a report to the Fort Worth school board on Tuesday, trustees were told that work to resurface tracks at both fields are scheduled to be substantially complete by mid- to late October.

Arlington Heights has repaid $100,000 so far and plans to repay $350,000 by Dec. 31. Paschal has made $200,000 in payments and plans to have at least half the debt paid by the end of the 2012-2013 school year.

Parents, grandparents, students and teachers: post your experiences and photos from the first day of school using the hashtag #FirstBell. And don't forget to include the name of the school and/or location in your tweet.

Tweets with the #FirstBell hashtag may be used by the Star-Telegram online or in print.

The Star-Telegram is running a contest, giving folks to participate the chance win a backpack filled with school supplies, Mom2Mom gear and 4 tickets to the Movie Tavern.

February 24, 2012

One of director Brandon Oldenburg's first projects was filming his school's field trips.

As a fourth grader at Birdville's Holiday Heights Elementary School in North Richland Hills, Oldenburg recalls using his camera to document his class taking a school bus to Fort Worth's Omni iMAX Theatre. They saw "Hail, Columbia," about a space shuttle launch.

"It looked like "The Wonder Years," people just waving at the camera real fast," said Oldenburg, of Shreveport, La. (left, in a photo by Daymon Gardner)

He'll be prepared if luck goes his way. He is working on an acceptance speech, just in case, after receiving a note from the Oscar organizers that read: “remember, spontaneity takes preparation.”

Whatever happens, Oldenburg, 38, will be decked out in unusual duds. Fort Worth-based workwear maker Dickies is making custom tuxedos for Oldenburg and film co-director William Joyce, an author and illustrator. (Oldenburg says his wife, Shannon Duskin Oldenburg, is wearing a dress created by a costume designer, not Dickies. She's also a 1991 Richland High grad).

The tuxedos are made from the same black twill as Dickies 874 work pants and classic Eisenhower jacket, 65 percent polyester and 35 percent cotton. The jackets have satin trim and a satin shawl collar and silver buttons with the Dickie's logo. Per Oldenburg's request, the jackets are lined with high-visibility orange and his pants have a cell phone pocket.

It's the company's first Oscar tuxedo, said Matthew McCartin, vice president of marketing for Dickies. (Dickies photos, below).

"It was kind of a neat experience. We used one of our pattern makers. We went to Louisiana and took their measurements and cut the pattern," McCartin said. "That tux will last him 30, 40 years, it is very durable."

September 23, 2011

That's what the home floor of the UT Arlington men's and women's basketball teams will be called after a pair of alumni committed $1 million to the new College Park Center events venue that opens early next year.

Alan and Bonnie Smith Petschechose to support the $78 million project because of the role UT Arlington has played in their lives and the impact that the venue will play in the downtown area, the university said in a news release.

The UT Arlington men’s and women’s basketball teams are expected to take to Petsche Court for the first time Feb. 1 against UT San Antonio.

“This moves the university up to the next level,” Alan Petsche said. “You have to have something to rally around, and I think the basketball program can be a center of the UT Arlington experience.”

Alan Petsche earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from UT Arlington in 1980. Bonnie Smith Petsche earned her BBA from in 1986. Mr. Petsche is the former chief operating officer for A.E. Petsche Co., an aerospace distribution company that his family sold to Arrow Electronics in 2009.

Alan Petsche recently acquired the historic Candlelite Inn on East Division Street near Cowboys Stadium and is refurbishing it with plans to reopen with the original menu soon. An avid musician, he also plans to open an instrument rental business downtown and a separate studio that he said will be suitable for symphony-quality musical recordings.

During college, Petsche joined a popular local band, The Pengwins, as lead guitarist. UT Arlington was also where he met his wife at a Sigma Nu fraternity party, he said.

Bonnie Smith Petsche said her UT Arlington education, including her service through the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, was a life-shaping opportunity.

“I was the first person in my family to go to college, and I was truly blessed to have a four-year university in this community,” she said.

May 11, 2011

Birdville school district's interim superintendent Jay Thompson announced Wednesday that he plans to retire on June 30 after 42 years with the Haltom City-based school district.

Here's a recap of his career: secondary math and business education teacher, junior and senior high school track and football coach, high school assistant principal, assistant director in central administration, junior high and middle school principal and director of athletics.

Thompson is Birdville's associate superintendent for staff and student services. Birdville trustees in February tapped him to serve as interim superintendent after Stephen Waddell left to take a post in Lewisville schools.

And here's a quote from Thompson's retirement letter, included in a news release issued on Wednesday:

"My daily inspiration has always been seeing our students grow, graduate and become successful citizens in our communities, our nation and throughout the world," Thompson wrote. "I know they will go forward and accomplish more than we can imagine. I appreciate our parents, who have trusted us with their most precious sons and daughters, and provide their support and resources to the schools. I cannot imagine anyone who has had a more enjoyable career."

April 29, 2011

Darrell Brown, 50, superintendent of the exemplary-rated Forney school district (20 miles east of Dallas) is slated to sign a contract on May 19, after the state mandated 21-day waiting period. The school district is planning a welcome reception for the community also on May 19.

If hired, Brown is to take the helm in July. He replaces former superintendent Stephen Waddell, who became Lewisville schools chief in March.

Birdville school board president Joe Tolbert told the audience at the Thursday meeting that the board had conducted about 30 hours of candidate interviews and deliberation. Tolbert and two other trustees on Wednesday visited Forney schools to talk to school and community leaders.

After the vote, the district held a small reception to meet Dr. Brown and his family.

Later in the meeting, trustees approved two principal appointments: Jed Carleton, who has been assistant principal at the Academy at C.F. Thomas, will be principal of Richland Elementary School. He replaces the retiring DeeDee Peacock.

Kyle Pekurney will move from assistant principal at Richland High School to principal at Smithfield Middle School. He replaces Jeff Russell, who has been named principal at Haltom Middle School for next year.